Apparatus for subjecting shoes and other articles to pressure



June 18, 1935. HABICHT 2,005,621

APPARATUS FOR SUBJECTING SHOES AND OTHER ARTICLES TO PRESSURE Original Filed Nov. 1, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet l lNVENTOR OTTO 445/047- ATTORN EYS June 1-8, 1935. Q HAB|HT I 2,005,621

APPARATUS FOR SUBJECTING S HOES AND OTHER ARTICLES TO PRESSURE Original Filed Nov. 1, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 9;, INVENTOR i ATTORN E Y-S June 18, 1935. Q B 2,005,621

APPARATUS FOR SUBJECTING SHOES AND OTHER ARTICLES TO PRESSURE Origifial Filed Maj-x1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR O TTO fag/c147 ATTORNEYS June 18;, 1935. 0 cn-rr 2,005,62l

APPARATUS FOR SUBJECTING SHOES AND OTHER ARTICLES TO PRESSURE Original Filed Nov. 1, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 4- INVENTOR I: OTTO //45/c//T ATTORNEYS June 18, 1935. o. HABICHT 2,095,621

APPARATUS FOR SUBJECTING SHOES AND OTHER ARTICLES TO PRESSURE Original Filed Nov. 1, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 [QT- ll 1 INVENTOR E E 077'0 HAB/CHT .E

ATTORNEYS Patented June 18, 1935 APPARATUS FOR SUBJECTING SHOES AND OTHER ARTICLES T PRESSURE Otto Habicht, Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany,

assignor to Compo Shoe Machinery Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application November 1, 1928, Serial No, 316,515 Renewed November 9, 1934 24 Claims.

My present invention relates to apparatus for exerting pressure on shoes and other articles. The improved apparatus has been designed primarily for the purpose of applying pressure for the purpose of securing the outer sole of a shoe to the shoe with the aid of a suitable glue or cement. The invention however, is also applicable with the object of applying a finishing or polishing pressure to a shoe, or for forming or molding a shoe prior to sewing it. The invention may also be used in connection with other articles, being applicable generally whenever pressure is to be exerted for the purpose of connecting two parts, or forming an article, or applying a polish or another finish to such article. One of the objects of my invention is to provide a simple and improved apparatus of the kind indicated above, which in its preferred form affords special facilities for applying pressure successively to a number of articles brought into the working position by a traveling conveyer. Other objects of my invention will appear from the detailed description following hereinafter.

Various embodiments .of my present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. l is a side elevation showing one form of my invention; Fig. 2 is a detail end elevation of a portion of the machine, partly in section; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine portion shown in Fig. 2, with parts in section; Fig. 4 is a separate plan view of a cushion employed in connection with the machine or apparatus shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the blank from which such cushion is formed; Fig. 6 is a partial plan view illustrating certain characteristics hereinafter referred to;

. Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 2, representing another form of construction; Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are detail elevations showing three additional embodiments of my invention; Fig. 11 is a sectional detail'of the construction shown in Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic side elevation of another form of my invention; Fig. 13 is a side elevation illustrating a form of my apparatus in which inflatable cushions are used; Fig. 14 is a partial end elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 13, and Fig. 15 a partial plan view thereof; Fig. 16 is a side elevation of another form of my apparatus, likewise employing inflatable cushions; Figs. 1'? and 18 are a partial end elevation and a partial plan view respectively of the apparatus shown in Fig. 16; Fig. 19 is a partial side elevation of a third form of my apparatus employing inflatable cushionsj Fig. 20 is a detail section of a valve employed in connection with apparatus such as shown in Figs. 13 to 19, and Fig. 21 is an end elevation of another form of my invention.

In Figs. 1 to 5, I have shown an endless traveling conveyer composed of links connected with each other loosely to enable' the conveyer to bend properly and in a longitudinal direction, that is, circumferentially of rotary guides or supports with which certain portions of the conveyer are engaged. In Fig. 1, the left hand portion or bend of the conveyer passes around a polygonal support or drum 30, here shown as having twelve sides, while the right hand portion of the conveyer engages a cylindrical drum or roller 3|. The latter is represented as of much smaller diameter than the drum 30, and the lowermost portions of the drums 30, 3|, are arranged at the same level, the centers or shafts 32, 33 of said drums being therefore at different levels. With this arrangement, the lower run of the conveyer becomes horizontal, while its upper run is inclined downwardly from the upper portion of the drum 30. This particular inclination presents certain important advantages, as will be explained below, and it will be obvious that such inclination may be obtained in other ways, and does not require, as an indispensable condition, that the two drums be of different diameters, and that the lower conveyer run be horizontal, although such arrangement presents certain practical advantages. The drums are journaled in suitable standards 34 and 35 respectively. Any suitable means are provided for bringing the shoes or other articles to be treated, to the conveyer portion resting on the uppermost part of the drum 30. In Fig. 1, I have illustrated a horizontal conveyer belt 36 (of the endless type) for bringing the articles into a position adjacent to the uppermost portion of the drum 3., and another horizontal endless conveyer belt 31 for carrying the articles away after they have been exposed to pressure. Any suitable mechanism is provided for operating the three conveyers. The conveyer 31 might travel continuously in the direction indicated by the arrow, but the conveyer engaging the drums 30, 3| should travel intermittently, and preferably the feeding conveyer 36 also should receive an intermittent motion. As an example of a simple mechanism for operating said three conveyers, I have indicated a ratchet wheel 33 rigid with the drum and engaged by a pawl 39 which is pivoted at 40 to a rod ll mounted to slide lengthwise (and also to have a slight swinging movement) in a stationary guide 42, a spring 43 tending to force the pawl 39 toward the ratchet wheel 38. The lower end of the rod 4| is pivotally connected at 44 with a pedal 45 fulcrumed at 46. A spring 41 tends to restore the pedal 45, and with it the rod 4| and the pawl 39, to their upper position shown in Fig. 1, the pedal then engaging the upper stationary stop 48. By depressing the pedal until it engages the lower stationary stop 49, the pawl 38 will be caused to give the drum 30 exactly onetwelfth of a revolution. Suitable means, such as a spring 50 engaging the drum 30, may be employed to hold the. drum in proper position so that it will always come to a stop with its uppermost side horizontal, and thus relieve the operator of the necessity for adjusting the drum to such position. With the drum 30 are also rigidly connected pulleys or sprocket wheels which through the medium of belts or chains 52, 53 and other pulleys or sprocket wheels 54, 55 operate the rollers 56, 51 engaged by the conveyers 36, 31 respectively. While the connection from the drum 30 to the conveyers 36, 31 might be permanent or positive, so that these two conveyers would at all times move in unison with the drum, I prefer toprovide means whereby either one or both of said conveyers may be allowed to remain stationary during the movement of the drum 30. For instance, as indicated in Fig. 1, the connection of each sprocket wheel or pulley 54, 55 with the respective roller 56 or 51 may be controlled by a clutch 58 or 58 respectively, of any wellknown or approved character, the clutch-shifting levers being shown at 60 and 6| respectively. Normally, the clutches would be in such a position that the wheels or pulleys 54, 55 would rotate inunison with the respective rollers 56 and 51. It will be understood that when the pedal 45 is released, the spring 41 will restore the parts to the position shown in Fig. 1, the spring 43 allowing the pawl 39 to swing outwardly on the pivot 48 as the pawl rides up on the inclined face of one of the ratchet teeth, and swinging said pawl into the next notch of the wheel 38 as soon as the pawl rises beyond the point of a ratchet tooth.

Figs. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the following construction of the main conveyer engaging the drums 30 and 3|: Said conveyer is composed of links each having a base or body 62, shown as of rectangular shape, on which is provided a last support. In the embodiment shown, said support comprises a heel portion 63 rigid with the base or body 62, and an adjustable toe portion 64,-

which may, for instance, be pivoted to the heel portion, as at 65, to swing about an axis ranging ,lengthwise of the conveyer, the adjustment being effected in any suitable manner, as by means of a screw 66 threaded into the base or body 62 and in proper engagement with the toe portion 64, a milled head 61 being shown on said screw as a means for operating it. To each of the conveyer links (generally made of aluminum) is pivoted to swing about an axis 68 which extends lengthwise of the conveyer and parallel to the pivot 65 of the same link, a bail comprising two side members 69 each having one of its ends at the pivot axis 68, while the other ends are connected by a cross member the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter. Preferably means, such as a spring H, are provided which tend to swing or fold the bail 69, 10 toward the base or body 62.

Adjacent links of the main conveyer are connected in a manner to provide their required relative mobility. Each of the joints or connections is shown as comprising a central lug l2 rigid with the base 62 of one link and a double lug or fork 13 rigid with the base 62 of the adjoining link, and embracing the said lug 12. Through these lugs 12, 13 extends a connecting pin 14 transverse to the conveyer, and in the general plane thereof, the several pins 14 remaining parallel to the shafts 32, 33, in the particular embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Each pin 14 is shown as fitted closely into the lug 12 and quite loosely into the other lug, 13, the latter having openings which aiford considerable play, see Fig. 3. The pin 14 may fit into the lug 12 so tightly that it will be rigid therewith (and this is preferred), although there would be no serious objection if the pin I4 could turn about its own axis in the lug 12. Each of the bases 62 is also shown as provided with a rigid projection or rib 16 extending in a transverse direction, substantially parallel to the shafts 32, 33, and adapted to fit into one of a series of twelve corresponding recesses or sockets TI on the drum 30. I thus ensure a proper automatic positioning of each conveyer link relatively to the side of the drum 30 with which, it comes into registry and engagement during the travel of the conveyer and the rotation of the said drum. The following means have been indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 to obtain a proper guidance of the conveyer runs between the two drums 30, 3| The base'62 of each conveyer link is provided, at its ends (short sides of the rectangular links), with projections adapted to travel along suitable stationary guides or tracks. For instance, such guides may be grooved or forked, as shown at 18, to embrace the projections 19 extending from the link bases 62. Preferably the guides would be made with flaring entrance portions 80 to ensure a proper passage of the said projections into the uides.

Inconnection with the last supports 63, 64 I employ a cushion. In Figs. 2 and 3 I have shown a molded cushion 8| engaging the upper or outer surface of the last support 63, 64. In detail, this cushion may be constructed as described hereinafter with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. The cushion 8l may be placed loosely on the support 63, 64 at the proper time, or it might be secured to said support. Fig. 2 indicates at A an outer sole, at B the lasted shoe with which it is desired to connect said sole by pressure, and at L the last on which such shoe is fitted or stretched, in the wellknown manner.

In connection with the parts described above, I employ a presser bow which may havethe general shape of those shown in my United States Letters Patent No. 1,445,942 dated February 20, 1923 and No. 1,473,038 dated November 6, 1923, such bow, howeveh-b'ing constructed with certain novel features to enable it to co-operate properly with my present new apparatus and particularly with the bail 69, 10. The presser bow illustrated comprises a body 82 to the heel end of which is pivoted at 83 a member or block 84 provided with a pin 85 adapted for insertion into a socket 86 in the heel portion of the last L; on the toe portion of. the bow body 82 is mounted a slide 81 movable lengthwise and adapted to bear, with its free end, on the forward or toe portion of the last. These features of the bow, which are also disclosed in the patents mentioned above, enable the presser bow to be adjusted to fit lastsof different sizes and shapes. One of thenovel features of the presser bow shown in my present application consists in providing its body 82, on the side opposite theblock 84 and theslide 81, with a holding portion 880i such shape that when the presser bow is in operative position, such portion will be eccentric to the pivot 68 of the bail 69, t6 and adapted for engagement with the transverse connecting member 19 of such bail. Preferably this holding portion 88 is made with teeth or notches, as shown, to prevent accidental movement of the bail when engaged with said portion.

In addition to the features described above, the presser bow has, on its body 82, an engagement surface 89 adapted for contact with a suitable movable member to exert pressure on the said body toward the last support 63, 64. Various constructions of pressure-exerting mechanism may be adopted; in Fig. 1 I have indicated, as an example of a mechanism which will accomplish the desired effect, a stationary hydraulic cylinder 90 in which a plunger or piston 9! is movable vertically, in the proper path to come into and out of engagement with the engagement surface 89 of the pressure bow body 82 when the latter is in the position shown in Fig. 1 in connection with the uppermost (horizontal) link of the main conveyer. At 92 I have indicated a pipe for conveying the medium under pressure (say water, although air might be used) to the cylinder 99 from a suitable source, the connection being controlled by a valve 93 which the operator can actuate in any appropriate manner, preferably by means, such as a knee lever 94, which leaves both of his hands free.

It will be noted that as the main conveyer passes around the drum 39, the conveyer portion or link immediately to the left of the horizontal link which is in the uppermost or working position, will be inclined downwardly from said horizontal link, and the same remark will apply to the link which is immediately to the, right of said horizontal link. Thus the two last supports and their bails 69, ill on the two links which are to the left and to the right respectively of the said temporarily uppermost link, will be as it were spread away from it, or diverge upwardly as shown clearly in Fig. 1, thus affording an ample space for the transfer of articles to and from said temporarily uppermost link, and also gaining more room for the overhead pressureexerting mechanism. The drum 3|, working in conjunction with the conveyer and with the drum 36, constitutes directing means for causing the links at each side of the one that is in the working position (uppermost link in Fig. 1) to diverge from each other and thus facilitate access to the link that is in the working position.

The operation may be as follows: From the supply conveyer 36 (or from any other place) the operator takes an unfinished shoe B mounted on its last L, and applies to such shoe and to the outer sole A (which he may take from the conveyer 36 or from a table or magazine, not shown). a layer of suitable glue or cement to connect said sole with the lasted shoe. I prefer to use certain types of glue or cement which have the property of becoming very permanent and insoluble upon the application of heat, but other kinds of glue or cement may be employed. The lasted shoe B with the outer sole A thereon is then placed in proper position on the cushion 8| of the main conveyer link which at that time engages the uppermost portion of the drum 36. As has been stated above, such cushion may be secured to the last support 63, 64, or the cushions 8! may be loose, in which event theoperator would also have to take a cushion from a stack or other supply at the time of preparing the apparatus for a pressure-exerting operation.

In any event, when a cushion 8! is in proper position on the last support 63, 64 of the uppermost link of the main conveyer (which is stationary at that time) and a lasted shoe B with its outer sole A is in position on such cushion, the operator takes one of the presser bows (say from a table, not shown) and applies it to the last L as shown in Fig. 2. This brings the engagement surface 89 of the presser bow body 82 into registry with the plunger 9|, which at that time is in its raised position. The operator then actuates the knee lever 94 to admit the pressure medium from the pipe 92 to the cylinder 90, thus forcing the plunger 9| down against the presser bow, and thus forcing the last L with the shoe B downwardly against the outer sole A, the cushion 8l and the last support 63, 64 serving as a backing or abutment, since the last support 63, 64 can not move downwardly, as it rests on the temporarily stationary drum 30. While the parts are thus under pressure, the operator swings the bail 69, Ill up to bring its transverse member 10 into engagement with the holding portion 88, as shown best in Fig. 2. He then releases the knee lever 94, thereby causing the plunger 9| to return to its normal upper position (under the influence of a spring or by any other well-known or approved means, not shown). It will be understood that the bail 69, 16, by its engagement with the presser bow body 82, will maintain the lower portion of the lasted shoe B, the outer sole A, and the cushion 8| under compression.

Thereupon the operator gives the drum 36 a partial rotation sufiicient to bring the next link of the main conveyer into the working position. This may be accomplished by the mechanism described above in connection with the pedal 45. I desire it to be understood, however, that a mechanism operated by foot power has been selected chiefly for illustrative purposes, on account of simplifying the drawings, and that operating mechanisms of various other kinds may be used in practice.

With the arrangement illustrated, each partial rotation of the drum 39 will also impart a corresponding movement to the feeding conveyer 36 and to the delivery conveyer 31, since the clutches 58, 59 are normally in their operative or thrownin position. The conveyer 36 will thus bring another lasted shoe within convenient reach of the operator, who may be standing or seated at 95. He then repeats the operations described above. Thus by a succession of intermittent movements of the drum 36, the feeding conveyer 36, and the main conveyer passing over such drum, with the proper assembling, pressure, and pressure-holding (bail 69, 10) operations performed while the conveyers are stationary, the operator will gradually load all the links of the main conveyer in the manner set forth above. Finally, the link which was loaded first will again reach its original position, at the top of the drum 36. By this time, the glue or cement will have dried or set sufiiciently to permit the shoe to be removed. For this purpose, the operator throws the bail 69, 'll) out of engagement with the presser bow, and then removes the presser bow and the shoe from the main conveyer, separates the presser bow from the last, and places the lasted shoe, with the outer sole A now firmly connected therewith, on the delivery conveyer 31, which carries such article away in the direction indicated by the arrow. Should the operator-find it diflicult to disengage the bail 69, 10 from thepresser bow body 82, he can simply actuate the knee lever 96 once iii more to force the plunger 9| and the said body 82 down and thereby release the hail from the upward pressure of the cushion 8|. The clutches 58, 59 may be thrown out whenever it is desired to rotate the drums 30, 3| without operating the conveyers 36, 37, for instance if the operator discovers that one of the articles is defective and wishes to take it out, after such article has left the working station.

In some cases, the temperature of the room in which the apparatus is placed may be suflicient to bring the glue or cement to the proper condition by the time the shoe returns to its original position at the top of the drum 30. In other cases, it may be found desirable to provide for the application of heat. For instance, as indicated in Fig. 1, a portion of the conveyer path may extend through a channel or housing 96 constituting. a heater, say by passing hot air or hot gases therethrough from 91 to 98. Other means may be adopted for heating portions of the main conveyer, or the entire conveyer, or even the whole machine. It will be understood that the main conveyer may be of considerable length, and may have its portions between the final bends (at the drums 30, 3|) either horizontal and inclined as shown, orplaced in other convenient ways, according to the space available. The particular flexible connection establishing universal joints between the links of the main conveyer enables the conveyer (in addition to its usual longitudinal bending) to bend laterally if considerations of space etc. should make this appear desirable; thus, the plan view Fig. 6 illustrates guides I8 having a lateral curvature to lead the conveyer to one side at a certain portion of its path.

It will be noted that the toe portion 64 of the last support is nearer to the operators stand 95 than the heel portion 63, so that the toe of the last and of the shoe will be toward the operator as he places them on the cushion 8|. This affords the operator a clearer vision and greater facility for placing the shoe accurately on the last support than the usual practice in which the heel of the shoe is toward the operator.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a suitable and very satisfactory way of making a molded cushion, and the cushion 8| referred to above may be one produced in this manner. Fig; 5 shows alongitudinal section of the blank from which the cushion is formed, said blank having a top layer 99 preferably made of leather or like material, a lower layer or foundation I made of pulp board or the like, and an intermediate layer It" made of a material, for instance felt, which is more elastic or compressible than the other two; in

fact, the cushion effect is due largely to this intermediate layer. The blank is cut to the desired outline (see Fig. 4) and its three layers are glued or cemented together. By a suitable molding operation, the blank is given the final shape of the molded cushion, for instance such as illustrated for the cushion 8 I The simplest way of conducting this molding operation consists in placing the cut blank on one of the links of the main conveyer while such link is directly under the plunger to such last in the manner described above, and the plunger 9| is depressed toengage the presserbow body 82 andv compress the cushion between the last L and the last support 63, 64. The bail 69, I0 may be employed for maintaining the pressure as long as desired. Thus the cushion wfll be molded not only on its lower surface, to conform to the last support 63, 64, but also on its upper surface, in which there will be produced a depression or recess I02 corresponding to the shape of the last bottom. A molded cushion thus formed will enable a last L, with the unfinished shoe B and the outer sole A, to be placed very accurately on the last support 63, 64.

It will be seen that the operator has ready access to that link of the main conveyer which rests on the uppermost face of the drum 30, but the other portions of said conveyer are comparatively inaccessible and largely covered and protected by the supply conveyer 36 and the delivery conveyer 31.

In'Fig. '7 I have shown an arrangement for heating the several cushions continuously, at every portion of the main conveyer. The detail construction of this cushion 8I' may be exactly as explained with reference to Figs. 4 and 5, except that a resistance, wire or heating wire I03, of. well-known'character, would be embedded in the cushion, preferably between the layers 99 and IOI thereof. The terminals of the heating wire of the same cushion would be connected to contacts I04, I05 respectively, carried by the link projections I9, and in sliding engagement, during the movement of the conveyer, with stationary contact rails I06, I01 respectively, which may be secured to the stationary guides 18".

In Figs. 8 to 11 I have shown three different pressure-exerting and holding arrangements which may be substituted for the one illustrated by Figs. 1 to 7. According to these three arrangements, the plunger 9| does not come into contact with the engagement surface 89 of the presser bow body 82, but with an arm movable toward and from said surface. In Fig. 8, the arm I08 is movable toward and from the base 62 of the conveyer link, along a bar I09 which is rigidly connected with the link base 62 and extending vertically at the time that such link is in the working position, at the uppermost portion of the drum 30. The bar I09 is of rectangular or like section, and the opening in the arm I08 through which said bar passes, is of corresponding shape. The arrow in Figs. 8, 9- and indicates the point at which the plunger 9I is arranged to engage the movable arm. In Fig. 8,

this point is half way between the bar I09 and that portion of the arm I08 which is adapted for contact with the engagement surface 89. When the plunger!" moves down, both ends of the arm I06 move downward equally, and the action on the presser bow, the last, shoe, and cushion is the same as described above. When the plunger 9| 'is released and moves up, the upward pressure of the cushion tends to swing the arm I08 about its apertured end as a temporary fulcrum, and thus the arm I08, instead of sliding upward on the bar I09 and following the. plunger, will bind at the guided end, and will remain stationary in a position in which it prevents upward movement of the presser bow and thus holds the shoe, the outer sole, and the cushion under compression. Thus the arm I08 also acts as a pressure holding member and in this respect performs the same function as the bail 69, I0. This bail and the holding portion 88 cooperating therewith, are therefore dispensed with in the construction illustrated by Fig. 8, and the same remark will apply to the arrangements shown in Figs. 9, 10, and 11. The release of the arm I08, when it is desired to remove the article, can be effected by simply pressing or knocking upwardly against the eye of the arm, adjacent to the bar I09. In Fig. 9, the center of the arm I08 is adapted for contact with the engagement surface 89 of the presser bow body 82, while both ends of said arm are guided for sliding movement along parallel bars I09 rigidly connected with the link base 62. In this case, as the upward pressure or reaction of the cushion, after the plunger SI has been retracted. upwardly, is exerted against the central portion of the arm IIlfi, there will be no such automatic binding or pressure-holding action as has been described above in connection with Fig. 8. I have therefore provided, in Fig. 9, special means, to be actuated by the operator, for locking the arm I08 to the bars I09 at the time that the plunger SI, acting against the central portion of said arm, has been forced down to the desired extent. The locking means shown in Fig. 9 consist of two screws IIO passing through the eyes at the ends of the arm I08. These screws are loose or inactive until the plunger 9| has been forced down fully; then while the plunger is in its lowermost position, the screws are tightened to lock the arm I08 so that upon the release of the plunger pressure, said arm will continue to hold the article under pressure until the screws are loosened when it is time to remove the article. In'Figs. l and 11, the bar I09, rigid with the link base 62, is provided with rack teeth facing toward said base, while the arm I08" carries a spring-pressed pawl III having a handle II2 for withdrawing such pawl against the action of its spring. It will be readily understood that when the plunger 9I forces the arm I08 downwardly, the pawl III will act automatically as a locking member to prevent upward or return movement of the arm upon the upward or return movement of the plunger. The release of the arm I08" is effected by the operator pulling on the handle I I 2 to remove the pawl I II from engagement with the bar I09". While Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate a rack and pawl arrangement in connection with a short bar guided only at one end, corresponding to Fig. 8, it will be obvious that such rack and pawl arrangement might be used (in duplicate) in connection with a long bar guided at both ends, corresponding to Fig. 9, such rack and pawl arrangement then taking the place of the set screws IIII.

While in the construction indicated in Fig. 9 the operator must attend to the locking of the arm I08 in its pressure-holding position, the two constructions shown in Figs. 8, 10 and ll will accomplish such locking automatically.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 1 provides a single station at which a workman carries out the operation of applying pressure. The arrangement of the conveyer can very readily be modified in such a way as to provide a plurality of working stations. An example of such an arrangement is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 12, where the main conveyer is shown in connection with two drums 30', 3 I of like diameter, the upper run of the conveyer being allowed to sag so that the favorable working conditions described in connection with the drum 30 of Fig. 1 will be present equally at the upper portions of both drums 30', 3I'. Thus one workman may be stationed adjacent to the drum 30', and another at the drum 3|. It will be understood that the details of conveyer links, pressure and holding mechanism, and accessories such as feeding and delivery conveyers (all of which have been omitted from Fig. 12), may be constructed in accordance with the other figures of the drawings. The drum or roller 3I or 3I' constitutes directing means cooperating with the main conveyer to cause the links at each side of the one that is in the working position, to diverge from each other and facilitate access to the link which is in said working position.

In the forms of my invention described above, pressure is exerted on the presser bow toward the base of the conveyer link. My invention however is not restricted to this particular Way of exerting pressure, and I will now describe embodiments of my invention in which the cushion interposed between the last support 63, 64 and the article to be treated, is inflatable or expansible for the purpose of producing the desired pressure, the body 82 in this case serving as an abutment or backing against which the article is pressed upwardly, that is to say, in a direction away from the base '2 of the link.

The first construction of this type is shown in Figs. 13, 14, and 15. The drum 36, conveyer links, last, presser bow, and bail shown in these views may be substantially like those shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The cushion lI" instead of being solid as in the constructions first described above, is hollow and adapted to receive a fluid under pressure, to expand or inflate such cushion, which may be made of rubber. This fluid is generally air. Two of the links of the conveyerdo not, like the other links, carry last supports and their adjuncts, but one of these two links carries an air compressor N3 (of any suitable construction) and an electric motor III for operating it, such compressor and motor being shown as mounted on the same shaft. The other link, pref erably adjacent to the first, carries an air tank I I5, preferably provided with a heater which may consist of a resistance or heating coil disposed in a lining or jacket IIS of said tank. Electric current for the operation of the heating coil and of the electric motor IN is supplied to the wires III on the conveyer in any suitable manner, for instance by means of fixed and sliding contacts which may be of the same character as those described in connection with Fig. '7. Along the entire main conveyer extend two endless flexible conduits I I8, I I9 one of which is a return conduit in permanent communication with the suction port of the compressor H3, as by means of a connecting pipe or hose IZII. This same conduit I I8 has individual connections with the interior of the several cushions 8I", but these individual connections are controlled by valves I2I springpressed or otherwise constructed in such a manner that they will open from the cushion toward the return conduit or suction conduit II8 only when the pressure Within the cushion exceeds a predetermined amount, for instance 60 lbs. The delivery port of the compressor H3 is connected with the tank I I5 by a pipe or hose I22, and the outlet of the tank is connected by a pipe or hose I23 with the conduit II9, these connections affording a permanently open communication. It will be understood that the conduits I I8, I I9 and all the parts mentioned above in connection therewith are secured to the main conveyer to travel in unison therewith. Each of the cushions III" has a connection I2I leading to the pressure conduit I I9, and a valve or cock I25, with a handle I26, is associated with each of these connections I24. Fig. 20 illustrates a detail of this valve; in one of its positions, said valve places the interior of the cushion in communication with the pressure conduit II9, so that air from said conduit will pass into the cushion to inflate it; in

the other position, the valve I25 places the interior of the cushion in communication with the outside air.

Initially, the valves I25 are in the last-mentioned position, so that the cushions 8I" are defiated. The operator places a lasted shoe with outer sole and a presser bow in position on the cushion of one of the conveyer links, substantially as described above in connection with the other forms of my invention. Then the bail 69, 10 is swung up into position above the holding portion 88 of the presser bow body 82, and thereupon the operator throws the handle I26 of that link into the position which causes the cock I25 to admit air under pressure into the cushion of that link. This cushion being thus inflated (the valve I2l remaining closed until a proper pressure is built up) will press upwardly, the presser bow and the lasted shoe forming a stationary backing against which the outer sole is pressed by the expanding cushion. The result will be the same as in the construction described above. It will be noted that the compressed air is heated, which not only increases its pressure, but is of benefit in assisting the setting of the glue or cement. When the shoe held under pressure has made a complete circuit with the intermittently advanced conveyer, the operator throws the valve or cock I25 into the position in which the interior of the cushion 8|" communicates with the atmosphere. Air will then rush out from this particular cushion, deflating it so as to allow the article to be removed.

Another example of a construction employing inflatable cushions 8I" is shown in Figs. 16, 17 and 18. Here the motor-compressor H3, air-storage tank I I5, and air-heater '6' (of any suitable construction) are stationary instead of traveling with the main conveyer. The outlet pipe I23 is connected with a channel 32' in the drum shaft 32, and this channel in turn communicates with a plurality of radial channels arranged in hollow spokes I21 (three such spokes being shown, at equal intervals). At the outer end of each of these spokes, I provide a valve I28 which will close automatically under normal conditions, but will open automatically when brought into cooperative relation with another valve as set forth hereinafter. For this spoke valve, I may use the well-known construction which is found in automobile garages at the end of the hose used for supplying compressed air to tires. The continuous pressure conduit II 9' is provided with valves I29 in proper positions to come in successive contact with the spoke valves I28. These valves I29 may be of the same construction as the valves of automobiles tires. The suction conduit 8' has similar valves I29 adapted to co-operate with spoke valves I28 of the same character as the spoke valves I28. One of the three suction spokes is shown at I21 (Fig. 17) andits interior communicates with a longitudinal channel 32" of the shaft 32, which by means of the return pipe I28 communicates with the suction port of the compressor 3'. The suction conduit'has individual valved connections I2I with the several inflatable cushions 8I", in the same manner as in Figs. 13, 14, and 15. These cushions also have cocks or valves I25 of the same character as those shown in Fig. 20, to connect the individual cushions either with the outside air or with the pressure conduit 9'; but instead of being operated by separate handles, as in Figs. 13, 14, and 15, these valves are actuated directly by the swinging of the respective bails 69. 10, the plug of the valve constituting one of the bail pivots. The operation is thus simplified, since swinging the bail to itspressure-holding position will automatically cause the cushion to be inflated, whereas folding I the bail toward the link base 62 will cause the cushion to be deflated.

The two constructions shown in Figs. 13 to 18 provide for a circulation of (heated) air, that is to say, the air passing out of a cushion through the relief valve I2I will be returned to the suction port of the compressor. In Fig. 19 I have illustrated a modification similar to the construction shown in Figs. 16, 1'7 and 18, in which any air passing out of a cushion through the relief valve I2I will be discharged simply into the atmosphere, this modification therefore dispensing with the suction conduit and with the valves and other connections between such suction conduit and the inlet of the compressor. The latter therefore in this modification will draw air from the atmosphere, and not from the cushions. The heated air escaping from the cushion whenever its relief valve I2 I is open, will in this modification come in contact with, and flow around, the adjacent parts of the apparatus, and will exert a beneficial action by keeping these parts warm and assisting in causing the glue or cement to set.

In the description given above, it has been assumed that the main conveyer is of a length exceeding the circumference of the drum 30 (or the drums 30, 3|) thus, if the drum has twelve faces or sides, as in Fig. 1, it has been assumed that the conveyer is made with considerably more than twelve links. I desire to point out, however, that in the case of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, a conveyer having only twelve links might be used; this conveyer would, of course, simply rotate in unison with the drum 30, the drum 3| being inactive. The purpose would be to start the apparatus with the relatively low initial capacity of-twelve successive loadings or -workings, to meet the modest requirements of a small my invention is applicable to many uses other than the one described specifically.

It will be noted from Figs. 14, 15, 18 and 19 that the air under pressure is admitted to the central portion of the cushion so that such air will become evenly distributed, and so that there will be no tendency of the air to act chiefiy'on one side and to shift the shoe or other article.

For the sake of greater clearness in illustration, I have shown the pipes or conduits I I8, H9 and H8, H9 farther apart than they would be located in practice, where they would be placed close together near the longitudinal center of the conveyer.

I may provide a hook or other handle 39' on the pawl 39 to enable the operator to release the ratchet wheel 38 entirely by withdrawing the pawl 39 therefrom, so that the operator may shift the conveyer rearwardly or forwardly, as he may desire, thereby facilitating the return of any article to the working position.

In Fig. 21 I have shown in a somewhat diagrammatic fashion another form of my invention, in which the construction is substantially like that illustrated by Figs. 1 to 3, with this difference-that the main conveyer instead of being transversely horizontal as shown in Fig. 2, is given a downward inclination toward the position 95 at which the operator is stationed. This presents the advantage of enabling the operator to see much better the entire upper portion of the conveyer and especially the conveyer link which is in the working position at the uppermost portion of the drum 30a. The construction also enables the operator to reach more readily into the parts of the machine near the working position and brings these parts nearer to him than when the conveyer is transversely horizontal.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for subjecting articles to pressure, comprising a movable series of article supports hingedly connected with each other after the manner of chain links, means for imparting motion to said series of supports to bring the individual supports successively to a working position, a removable presser element adapted to be placed on the side of the article opposite to the support, an adjustable pivoted bail for connecting sad presser element with the article support or freeing it therefrom, and pressure mechanism adapted for co-operation with each of said article supports and with the presser elements.

2. An apparatus for subjecting articles to pressure, comprising a movable series of article supports hingedly connected with each other after the manner of chain links, means for imparting motion to said series of supports to bring the individual supports successively to a working position, a removable presser element adapted to be placed on the side of the article opposite to the support, a pivoted bail mounted to swing transversely of the path of said series of supports, for connecting said presser element with the article support or freeing it therefrom, and pressure mechanism adapted for co-operation with each of said article supports and with the presser elements.

3. An apparatus for subjecting articles to pressure, comprising a conveyer composed of movably connected links, a polygonal rotatable drum engaged by said conveyer and adapted to bring the links thereof successively into a working position, and pressure mechanism adapted for cooperation with said links while they are in contact with said drum.

4. An apparatus for subjecting articles to pressure, comprising a conveyer composed of movably connected links, a rotatable drum engaged by said conveyer and adapted to bring the links thereof successively into a working position on said drum, directing means co-operating with the conveyer to cause the links at each side of the one that is in the working position, to diverge from each other and facilitate access to the link that is in said working position, and pressure mechanism adapted for cooperation with said links and arranged to exert pressure at a link which is in working position on the drum.

5. An apparatus for subjecting articles to pressure, comprising a conveyer composed of movably connected links, article supports carried by said links and each consisting of relatively movable portions to enable them to fit different articles, a removable presser element adapted to be placed on the side of the article opposite to the respective support, an adjustable pivoted bail for connecting said presser element with the article support or freeing it therefrom, and pressure mechanism adapted for co-operation with said links.

6. An apparatus for subjecting shoes and like articles to pressure, comprising a conveyor chain composed of movably connected links, a base on individual links, a heel support rigid with said base, a toe support pivoted to said base about an axis ranging lengthwise of the conveyor chain, and pressure mechanism adapted for cooperation with said supports.

7. An apparatus for subjecting articles to pressure, comprising a conveyor chain composed of connected links, an article support on individual links, a presser element adapted to engage the article on the side opposite to the support, a bail pivoted to said support about an axis ranging lengthwise of the conveyor chain and adapted to engage said presser element to connect it with said support, and also adapted to swing clear of said element, and pressure mechanism adapted for co-operation with said support.

8. An apparatus for subjecting articles to pressure, comprising a conveyor composed of movably connected links, a rotatable drum engaged by said conveyer and adapted to bring the links successively into working position on the drum, and pressure mechanism in registry with the drum at such working position.

9. An apparatus for subjecting articles to pressure, comprising a conveyer chain composed of movably connected links, expansible cushions on said links, means for supplying a medium under pressure to said cushions, movable members arranged to engage said articles on the side opposite to the cushions, and bails pivoted to said links and arranged to engage said members, to hold articles mounted on said links, against the pressure exerted by the expanded cushions.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, in which a compressor is provided to supply air under pressure to the cushions, and in which a heater is located in the neighborhood of the path taken by the air on its way from the compressor to the cushions.

11. An apparatus according to claim 9, in which a compressor forces air into the cushions and has its suction port likewise connected with the cushions, with the interposition of relief valves, to circulate the air.

12. An apparatus according to claim 9, in which a compressor is provided to supply air under pressure to the cushions, the latter having outlets controlled by relief valves, and in which the delivery connection of the compressor to the cushions is controlled by individual valves which in one position connect the respective cushion with the supply of compressed air, and in another position with the atmosphere.

13. An apparatus for subjecting articles to pressure, comprising a traveling conveyer adapted to support the articles to be treated, electric heating means carried by said conveyer to heat said articles, and co-operating electric contacts mounted respectively on said conveyer and on stationary supports, to supply said heaters with electric current whether the conveyer be in motion or stationary, and mechanism for exerting pressure on articles supported by said conveyor.

14. An apparatus for subjecting articles to pressure, comprising a rotatable drum, a plurality of article carriers engaging said drum and movable therewith, and stationary pressure mechanism arrangedin registry with the uppermost portion of the drum to co-operate with said article carriers when they reach said uppermost portion, said carriers being hingedly connected with each other after the manner of chain links.

15. An apparatus for subjecting articles to pressure, comprising a, conveyer having supports for such articles, expansible cushions on the conveyor, and a compressor, carried by the conveyer, for supplying a medium under pressure to said cushions.

16. In combination, a shoe press having a pad, means for clamping a shoe against said pad, and a flexible elongate conveyor for holding said press during the loading operation in a manner such that the upper face of the press is longitudinally inclined downwardly toward the operator, to facilitate loading and unloading thereof.

17. In combination, a shoe press having a pad,

means for clamping a shoe against said pad, and a flexible elongate conveyor for holding said press during the loading operation, said conveyor having a surface inclined downwardly toward the operator whereby the face of the press is similarly inclined, to facilitate loading and unloading thereof. 18. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a pair of spaced, parallel, tilted drum members, a flexible conveyor mounted thereon, a plurality of shoe presses mounted on said conveyor and adapted to be moved past a loading station thereby, each of said presses including a pad and means for clamping a shoe against said pad, said conveyor having a path such that as each press is presented to the loading station its pad and clamping means are downwardly inclined toward the operator.

19. A machine of the class described, including, in combination, a flexible conveyor, having a plurality of shoe pressing means movable therewith, said conveyor providing a fixed upper traverse, fixed members disposed adjacent to said upper traverse and co-operating means on said pressing means and on said said fixed members to confine and support said pressing means during movement thereof along said traverse.

20. A machine of the class described, including, in combination, a flexible conveyor having binat ion, a frame, an elongate flexible conveyor mounted for movement along said frame, a plurality of shoe pressing means movable with said conveyor, and means on said frame for conflning part of the motion of said pressing means to a fixed rectilinear traverse.

22. A machine of the class described, comprising, in combination, a frame, a carrier comprising a flexible elongate conveyor having an upper and lower traverse mounted on said frame, said conveyor having a plurality of shoe pressing means movable therewith, supporting portions associated with each of said pressing means and carried by said conveyor, said portions being disposed transversely with respect to said carrier and projecting laterally beyond the edges thereof, said pressing means being adapted to be moved through a circuitous path thereby, each of said pressing means including a pad and means for clamping a shoe against said pad, said carrier being tilted in a manner such that the pad and clamping means will be inclined downwardly from the horizontal toward the operator, and supporting means on said frame proximate to the upper and lower conveyor traverses which are adapted directly to engage and support the laterally projecting supporting portions of said shoe pressing means.

23. In a sole pressing machine, an elongate frame having rotatable elements at the ends thereof, an endless carrier passing around said elements, said carrier having a plurality of shoe pressing means movable therewith in an endless path, each pressing means including supporting means and a pressure pad for clamping a shoe therebetween, said frame being arranged to support at least part of .the weight of said pressing means, means for intermittently moving said carrier, and means for increasing the pressure between the pad and shoe of each pressing means at a given portion of the carrier path.

24. In a' sole pressing machine, an elongate frame having rotatable elements at the ends thereof, an endless carrier passing around said elements, said carrier having a plurality of shoe pressing means movable therewith in an endless path, each pressing means including shoe supporting means and an inflatable pad, means for intermittently moving said carrier, and means for inflating each pad at a given portion of said carrier path.

OTTO HABICHT. 

